CONNOR Jennings admits there were times when he didn't think he would play football ever again after scoring on his return to action.
The 30-year-old Stockport County striker was diagnosed in March with a low-grade chondroid sarcoma, which is a rare type of cancer.
Jennings had been suffering from pain in his shoulder for several months after a fall in training and an MRI scan revealed a suspected tumour within his upper arm.
Following surgery and treatment, the National League promotion winner with Tranmere Rovers was brought on with nine minutes left in midweek and scored County's fifth goal in their 5-0 win over King's Lynn Town –a return he thought might never happen.
“Probably not at times, but there was always hope,” he said. “It was just nice to get on and to score was the icing on the cake.
“It's been really tough, I don't think you realise how much you need your arms, even in football.
“It's been a rollercoaster. It's been great all the support from everyone, the club have been brilliant to me, the chairman, Simon Wilson, the previous gaffer, the new gaffer, the list goes on. Obviously my family as well and all the Stockport fans but loads of other football fans too.
“It was only ten minutes but it's certainly a start so hopefully I can start feeling a bit sharper in the coming weeks.”
County boss Dave Challinor believes Jennings' return will come as a big lift for his already impressive squad.
“He's worked unbelievably hard,” he said. “For him to be able to get that last ten minutes and to score makes it a really fitting night.
“We'll get him fit. He's a winner, he's had success at this level and above, he's a goalscorer and has real quality. He will be like a new signing for us.”
